The Zebrette head-coach believes that his team can beat PAOK in the second-leg of the last 16 round of the European competition.
The second-leg of the UEFA Europa League clash between Udinese and PAOK will be played at the Toumba Stadium on Thursday, 23 February.
The first-leg ended as a goalless draw at Stadio Friuli last week.
Udinese have been urged by their manager to battle “with courage” and not come unstuck against a well drilled Greek outfit. The Bianconeri were without the services of their star players http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mauricio-Isla-c24922 and
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Di-Natale-c6306 through injury in the first-leg.
Much to Guidolin’s dismay, his key players are still missing going into the return leg.
The former Bologna midfielder is predicting a hard-fought encounter. However, he feels that the Bianconeri were unlucky in the first-leg, as they were superior of the two sides. Regardless of that, Guidolin
has given strict instructions to his players to go for the kill in the return leg. He remarked:
“It is going to be a difficult game. Perhaps we deserved more from the first leg, but now we can only focus on tomorrow. We need a goal to progress, but they have the same pressure too.”
Udinese seem to be the only Italian side with a realistic chance of qualifying for the round of 16 of the Europa League. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 are the other Italian side competing in the competition, but they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against
Atletico Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, Guidolin has remarked that his side will not be carrying the brunt of the Italian League’s hope, but will be contesting for the club’s sake.
Guidolin is of the opinion that the tie will be a close contest between two evenly balanced sides.
“I expect our opponents to give us a tough game and hope my team has the qualities to make it equally as tough for them. I am confident my side can do well.” Added the Udinese boss
The Bianconeri have been criticised for not giving enough importance to Europa League this season.
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